, and have
borrowed the money elsewhere. Why, sir, I had almost reconciled her to
her loss in that cursed Company. I showed her how I had saved out of
Brough's claws the whole of her remaining fortune; which he would have
devoured in a day, the scoundrel! And if you would have left the matter
to me, Mr. Titmarsh, I would have had you reconciled completely to Mrs.
Hoggarty; I would have removed all your difficulties; I would have lent
you the pitiful sum of money myself."

"Will you?" says Gus; "that's a trump!" and he seized Smithers's hand,
and squeezed it so that the tears came into the attorney's eyes.

"Generous fellow!" said I; "lend me money, when you know what a situation
I am in, and not able to pay!"

"Ay, my good sir, there's the rub!" says Mr. Smithers. "I said I _would_
have lent the money; and so to the acknowledged heir of Mrs. Hoggarty I
would--would at this moment; for nothing delights the heart of Bob
Smithers more than to do a kindness. I would have rejoiced in doing it;
and a mere acknowledgment from that respected lady would have amply
sufficed. But now, sir, the case is altered,--you have no security to
offer, as you justly observe."

"Not a whit, certainly."

"And without security, sir, of course can expect no money--of course not.
You are a man of the world, Mr. Titmarsh, and I see our notions exactly
agree."

"There's his wife's property," says Gus.

"Wife's property? Bah! Mrs. Sam Titmarsh is a minor, and can't touch a
shilling of it. No, no, no meddling with minors for me! But stop!--your
mother has a house and shop in our village. Get me a mortgage of that--"

"I'll do no such thing, sir," says I. "My mother has suffered quite
enough on my score already, and has my sisters to provide for; and I will
thank you, Mr. Smithers, not to breathe a syllable to her regarding my
present situation."

"You speak like a man of honour, sir," says Mr. Smithers, "and I will
obey your injunctions to the letter. I will do more, sir. I will
introduce you to a respectable firm here, my worthy friends, Messrs.
Higgs, Biggs, and Blatherwick, who will do everything in their power to
serve you. And so, sir, I wish you a very good morning."

And with this Mr. Smithers took his hat and left the room; and after a
further consultation with my aunt, as I heard afterwards, quitted London
that evening by the mail.

I sent my faithful Gus off once more to break the matter gently to my
wife, feari